Sydney Cricket Ground, Paddington, Sydney Australia

The Sydney Swans have continued their superb form, by beating AFL competition leaders in North Melbourne by 26 points at the SCG. It was the first loss of the year for North after the Swans began the game in a flurry of goals which forced North Melbourne to play catch-up football. Despite a determined fight back, the Kangaroos were unable to overcome a solid Sydney effort.

The Swans start looked like a carbon copy of last weeks Greater Western Sydney v Western Bulldogs game, where the Giants began super fast and built a very handy buffer. In Sydney’s case, they kicked the first goal, North replied, but then Sydney kicked another five goals before North got another just before the end of the first quarter. It was a case of the Kangaroos needing to stop the Swans damage and score themselves which they did with 4 unanswered goals towards half -time. It set up the prospect an intriguing and exciting second half, but to Sydney’s credit they were able to maintain their pressure and boot away.

Dan Hannebery dishing the ball off in a tight contest. Photo: Jodie Newell

It was a superb team effort by the Swans with 11 different goal kickers. The standout player of the night was Swans midfielder in Tom Mitchell. The old clique of “leather poisoning” has to apply to this fellow’s game. Mitchell amassed an incredible 41 disposals which included 30 handballs and a handy goal. His on-field efforts were rewarded by being named the inaugural winner of the Goodes-O’Loughlin medal (which is now awarded during the Sydney Swans indigenous round fixture to the best on ground player).

Best on ground player, Tom Mitchell (tackling) was in everything for the Swans Photo: Jodie Newell

Tom had plenty of mates racking up possessions, with Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery, Jake Lloyd, Kieren Jack and Jarrad McVeigh the main disposal getters. McVeigh in particular nailed two valuable goals. Lance Franklin wasn’t his explosive best, but still managed to kick 3 goals. Franklin was tightly checked by Robbie Tarrant and an extra man in North stalwart Scott Thompson. There could have been more goals for Franklin, but he was off target and kicked 4 behinds for the night.

A great illustration of how North tried to nullify Lance Franklin. Despite the close checking of Thompson (16) & Tarrant (28), Buddy kicked 3 goals Photo: Jodie Newell

Sydney came out of the sheds after the main break and maintained their pressure on North Melbourne. The Swans would kick 6 goals to 3 for the remainder of the match. The Swans were accurate enough, whilst for North they booted 11 behinds. There could have been more goals if they kicked straighter. Tall North Melbourne forward in Ben Brown missed a gettable goal in front in the final quarter after his teammate Robin Nahas had kicked a goal and if Brown had slotted the kick, the game may have taken on a different complexion. Following that crucial miss, Sydney via Zac Jones and Lance Franklin kicked the next two goals and the game became out of reach for the Kangaroos.

Robin Nahas (with ball) kicked a vital goal for North in the final quarter. Photo: Jodie Newell

It was another great win for the Sydney football club and over quality opposition. For North Melbourne it was their first loss of the year. Post-game, a terse North Melbourne coach in Brad Scott had little time for excuses for his side’s loss. He remarked that Sydney were the better side on the night and his team would learn from the defeat. For Sydney a delighted coach in John Longmire said he was happy with the form of his younger players. Tom Mitchell was praised for the way he had worked his way into the team and that the wealth of talented youth in the side was another positive for his club.

Swans Harry Cunningham gets the jump on his Kangaroo opponent in Brad McKenzie. Photo: Jodie Newell

There were troubling scenes for key North ruckman in Todd Goldstein who was pictured on the bench towards the end of the game with his leg wrapped in ice. Brad Scott refused to comment on the status of Goldstein after the match and indicated more would be revealed later in the week. The Sydney Swans (8-2) are in second place and one game away from league leaders North Melbourne (9-1) The Swans next fixture is the Gold Coast Suns away at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night whilst for North Melbourne they return home for another huge Friday night game against the in-form Richmond.

SYDNEY SWANS                     6.1       8.2       12.3     14.7     (91)
NORTH MELBOURNE             2.2       6.5       7.7       9.11     (65) 

GOALS
Sydney Swans: Franklin 3,McVeigh 2, Kennedy, Hewett, Heeney, Hannebery, Cunningham, McGlynn, Mitchell, Rohan, Jones
North Melbourne: Thomas 3, Brown, Dumont, Goldstein, Macmillan, Nahas, Wells 

BEST
Sydney Swans: Mitchell, Kennedy, Tippett
North Melbourne: Ziebell, Gibson, Del Santo

INJURIES
Sydney Swans: Nil
North Melbourne: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: David Harris, Shaun Ryan, Scott Jeffery

Official crowd: 38,498 at the SCG